Beautiful Ruins: A Dark Billionaire Romance by MJ Lucy

Author:MJ Lucy [Lucy, MJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

MAE

Allyson: I’ve finally landed! Join me at Astor’s lobby bar for a drink?

Missed Calls: (3) Allyson

Allyson: Just let me know you’re okay. You know I start imagining the worst when you don’t answer.

Missed Calls: (2) Allyson

Allyson: Good morning… I think? Still no word. Hope it’s just because you’re hyper-focused on your collection.

Allyson: If you feel like resurfacing, meet me for lunch at Half Moon’s.

Missed Calls: (6) Allyson

Allyson: Mae… I’m FREAKING OUT. I just saw Peter outside Ritchie’s Grill with I’m guessing his brother? They look alike. Just when you think one is bad enough! He asked me how you were enjoying your stay at my(?) beach house! WTF is that about?

Allyson: Why is he looking for you, Mae? Where are you?

Allyson: For the love of God, please let me know you’re okay!!!

Missed Calls: (10) Allyson

Stepping out onto the balcony, after having read through three days’ worth of messages and calls from my rightfully concerned best friend, my phone buzzes again.

Allyson: If I don’t hear your voice by tonight, I’m calling the police.

I press on her name, and she answers on the first ring.

“My God, Mae, I thought you were buried in a ditch somewhere!”

The idea isn’t completely absurd.

“Ally, I’m sorry. I haven’t had my phone on me for the last few days and—”

“What do you mean? You just vanished without your phone?”

At this point in time, it’s easier to just agree. “In a sense, yes. But it’s a messy conversation to not have in person.” I wouldn’t even know where to start or how to detail Damon’s involvement without her forming a poor judgment of him. “I was just reading through your messages now and needed to call you back with proof of life.”

“Right.” Allyson barely seems convinced that I am me. “Is he there with you?” she whispers.

“Peter?”

“Of course, Peter, who else?”

Well…

“Ah, no. I don’t know where he is actually.” But he’s soon to be here and steeling my nerves for it is a lot harder than anticipated. Still, no matter how sincere Damon appeared when asking me to stay, throwing caution to the wind has never been easy for me, and I’m left fighting the voice of doubt that perhaps there are ulterior motives involved. That fine line between friend and foe has blurred too much for comfort, but at least I can rest assured I won’t be handed over as part of a transaction.

“Oh, so, you’re home then?”

“Ah, not quite.” I hate lying to my friend, but I simply don’t know how to make the truth work. “But I don’t want you stressing.”

When she laughs, it eases my tense shoulders. “It’s a bit late for that.”

“I know, and I am sorry.”

Allyson’s sigh triggers a tear to slip down my cheek. I miss her. And I miss normalcy. Peter has limited our interactions over time, and it’s been felt. “Just tell me if you need help, okay?”

“I will, I promise.”

After a tentative pause, she asks, “So, what happens now?”

“The exhibition is taking full priority. I promise.”

“Babe, I can help.

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